The Motor Car [Minicar] Regulations 2017 came into effect today, Minister of Tourism, Transport & Municipalities Michael Fahy said, adding that the “introduction of minicars marks a new era in Bermuda’s transportation history” as “having minicars available for rent is an additional attractive feature for the prospective visitor.”

The Minister said, “Today, the Motor Car [Minicar] Regulations 2017 came into effect. The Regulations guide the set-up, licensing and operation of minicar liveries.

“This represents a long period of consideration and consultation, and I am pleased to announce that this alternative to rental cycles for our visitors can now become a reality.

“As you know, over the years, visitors expressed a strong desire to have flexibility in their transportation options. They want the freedom that comes with renting a vehicle.

“But not everyone is comfortable on an auxiliary cycle or moped. While having regular motor cars available for rent is a difficult option in Bermuda, the minicar presented itself as a viable and safe alternative.

“The Motor Car Act 1951 was amended late last year to allow for the operation of minicar liveries.

“These Regulations prescribe requirements for minicar livery licence application and establish the standard conditions that will apply to all livery operators such as the need to carry public liability insurance. The minicars can be subject to inspection by the Transport Control Department [TCD] to make sure the terms of the licence are met at all times.

“Minicars will be examined annually, between 1 January and 31 March. The licence plates will be similar to rental cycles – red lettering on a white background – and will be fixed to both the front and back of the car. Also, every minicar will have a warning sticker inside that says “Keep Left”!

“At present a minicar can only be on the road for five years but, as Minister, I have the discretion to extend that period provided the vehicle continues to be in good shape.

“Every livery operator must have a qualified driving instructor on staff to demonstrate the use of the minicar and that person will sit in the minicar when the renter takes it for a ‘test drive’. TCD will qualify the instructors to ensure they provide the driving instruction that you need for the minicar.

“The Regulations do specify safety instructions a livery operator must ensure the minicar renter receives. They include basic rules of the road such as Bermuda drives on the left, the speed limit is 35kph and there are severe penalties for impaired driving.

“The introduction of minicars marks a new era in Bermuda’s transportation history. Having minicars available for rent is an additional attractive feature for the prospective visitor, and I would like to thank our industry partners and stakeholders for their valuable participation in the process of developing the regulations.

What a most peculiar comment from Onion Juice. What we have these days are tourists taking their lives into their hands riding livery cycles. I have friends from the US who have been visiting the Island on a regular basis for decades and they love to get around independently but no longer feels safe doing so on livery cycles because of the congestion on our roads.

These minicars now give them a much safer alternative, and that applies to ALL of our visitors, most of whom can still drive.

I guess the “masses” Onion Juice refers are we locals. If so that could easily be remedied by allowing residents to purchase minicars.

Not sure about where users will park these minicar so that needs to be carefully looked it if sold to us Bermies.

My friends started coming here for College Weeks in the 1960′s and for years they never had problems on their bikes but with ever more traffic congestion and the lunacy we all see on our roads they have reluctantly come to the conclusion that it is simply too dangerous to ride livery cycles. Undeniably Different sums it up, “other vehicles (are) continuously passing them” but at much faster speeds than ever.

And those few are exactly who you need to cater to in order to make money ace… Should we cater to those without money in the hopes of fixing our own economy? Bermudian’s really do live in their own little world void of global and logical economic knowledge. Like it or not, you ALWAYS need to cater to these people worldwide unless of course you believe in Bermudian Robin Hood, otherwise known as a misguided youth riding a v-50 bag snatching from them who is going to share it with all of us as a solution to our economic woes!? Or maybe we tax “EXEMPT” companies who come here because they are “EXEMPT”…. At what point to Bermudian’s start to understand the world they live in and whats needed to get ahead? For tourism we cater to the rich and give them a luxurious experience (it’s the product we are selling) and for the Re-Insurance marketplace, we also need to provide them with a smooth and pleasant experience. They in turn provide for the rest of us one way or another via construction, retail – you name it. Where exactly do people think Bermuda’s wealth should come from? Lily Sales? Pink Sand in a bottle sales? ;-0

I’m a frequent Bermuda visitor, my husband lived in Bermuda back in the 60s. He is now in his 60s and has to use a mobility scooter to get around Bermuda if we are walking but we also had to use public transportation, taxis or buses. We found it hard to get around the island due to bus and ferry closures, taxis are way to expensive. We would love to be able tot get around more easily and are excited. I do have to agree that they should benefit the general public. I love the Bermudian people and I wish rhey were treated as well as your guest. My husband and I are returning to the island May 22nd.

Does anyone know when the cars will be available to rent? By the way if between May 22nd thru 30th you see a man in a scooter with a woman walking beside me, it will most likely be us, say hi if you see us we love to say hi back

Well maybe now that there are car rentals in Bermuda they will lift the ban on Bermuda Drivers Licenses in parts of the United States and Europe. Apparently that is the reason the ban came into effect because we did not rent foreigners cars.

Does anybody who posts here bother to read? Nothing restricts anything to only tourists. If you are a tourist what would you rather rent – a two wheeled wobbly scooter or a four wheeled covered stable vehicle. And please – what friends and family?!? That is a lie.

Finally! Well done . At long last we finally have listened to our clients, the tourists. They have been begging for rental cars for decades. I applaud the government for having the fortitude to make this happen.

It is said that Only the Strong will survive. Thus unification in the taxi area of transportation NEEDS to happen for greater ability to keep ahead & in some cases keep up with the increased competition out there. Customer Service must improve. If the majority of taxi owners & drivers were with the BIU, I feel the taxi industry would do better.

First of all, when I was an adult student in the UK I visited the local post office with my Bermuda license with the understanding I would be able to transfer my license to a full UK one. The clerk told me because Bermuda does not have highways I was not eligible. In order to drive I was given a PROVISIONAL driver’s license which requires a fully licensed driver to be in the car with me at all times.

Secondly, I had a horrific experience on the road with a tourist riding on the same side of the road as me. I was travelling in an eastward direction and when I was on the corner across from the Perfume Factory in Bailey’s Bay the rider was in my lane travelling westward. They wobbled to avoid hitting me. I had to stop to avoid hitting them while they continued on their way. NOT A NICE EXPERIENCE! Was this tourist on the rental bike told to keep left?

Finally, I am not impressed with this ‘car’ option for visitors. The collision damages will be bigger, and during peak traffic they will slow down the flow of traffic for people going to work/school and local’s return evening journeys back home.